Author

Folarin Kehinde

NDDC Pledges to Pay Contractors, Lament FG N4 trillion debt to Commission

by Folarin Kehinde December 9, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to settle all verified outstanding claims by its contractors in its efforts to facilitate sustainable development of the oil-rich region.

A source close to the Interim Administrator of the Commission who spoke on condition of anonymity said the NDDC boss was saddened that contractors who had done their jobs were still being owed many years after completion.

He said that the NDDC boss regretted the closure of NDDC headquarters by aggrieved contractors and called for patience “to achieve an amicable resolution.”

The source, who is a director in NDDC, said: “The Interim Administrator is not happy that contractors who had completed their jobs were yet to be paid. There is no reason to owe these contractors except the fact that enough funds have not been released to NDDC to take care of the debt.”

He disclosed that the Federal Government owed the Commission over N1.9 trillion, while the oil companies owed in excess of $4billion (about N2.2 trillion). “This huge indebtedness to NDDC is far in excess of what the Commission owes its contractors and has exposed us to this kind of situation,” the director added.

He also disclosed that the bulk of the indebtedness was inherited from past administrations of the Commission.

According to him, “The Interim Administrator has been very prudent and circumspect about adding to the Commission’s liability with new contracts. But he is determined to clear the debts because he believes that those who have worked for the Commission deserve due reward.”

The source said that President Muhammadu Buhari set up a reconciliation committee “headed by the Minister of Finance to determine how much is owed to NDDC and reconcile the accounts.”

He stated that President Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, “are concerned about the situation and must be commended for all efforts being put in place to ensure that all monies owed NDDC were paid. This will be resolved soon so that contractors can receive payment in this Christmas season.”

“The Interim Administrator is working tirelessly to pay outstanding debts and calls for calm and patience from all aggrieved contractors and service providers,” he added.

December 9, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Breaking: UBA Plc takes over ownership of AEDC

by Folarin Kehinde December 8, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

UBA PLc is now the owner of the Abuja Electricity Distribution following the failure of the majority owners, the KANN Consortium to service their debt.

It was the UBA that sacked the management as it assumed control, not President Muhammadu Buhari as widely reported on Tuesday.

The Ministry of Power made the clarification in a statement today.

“The attention of the Federal Ministry of Power has been drawn to publications in the print and electronic media relating to recent changes in the ownership structure and management at the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company PIc (“AEDC”).

“While noting that the news has largely been communicated out of context, the Ministry wishes to notify all stakeholders that the AEDC has, of recent, been facing significant operational challenges arising from a dispute between the core investors (KANN consortium) as owners of 60% equity in AEDC and the UBA as lenders for the acquisition for the majority shareholding in the public utility.

“The situation has currently deteriorated due to lack of access to intervention finances leading to a point whereby legitimate entitlements of the staff are being owed thus leading to service disruptions on 6th December 2021 within its franchise area.

The Federal Ministry of Power has since taken the initiative to engage organised labour and electricity service has since been restored in the FT and the states served by AEDC.

“The UBA, as a lender, and in exercising its rights over the shares of KANN Consortium in AEDC, has taken over the shares of the obligor in the AEDC. This takeover of the majority stake in AEDC by UBA has consequently led to the reported changes in the
management of AEDC.

“The changes in shareholding in AEDC and the appointment
of an interim management for AEDC by the shareholders has been endorsed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (the industry regulator) and the Bureau of Public Enterprises (“BPE” as co-shareholders in AEDC).

“The Honourable Minister of Power, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, wishes to reaffirm the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Power for working with all stakeholders to ensure service continuity in all areas served by the AEDC”.

Many reports yesterday said it was President Buhari who asked the Bureau of Public Enterprises to sack AEDC management and appoint a new one.

December 8, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

More woes for Nigerians as Bolt Increases Fare by 3%

by Folarin Kehinde December 8, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigerians will begin to pay higher fares for using e-hailing app, Bolt Transport following the hike in fare by three per cent.

This was contained in an e-mail communication to its customers on Wednesday.

The newly introduced booking fee will begin December 8, 2021, according to the company.

With over 10,000 drivers in Nigeria, the company had increased its rates by 10 per cent in 2020 over high operation cost.

Formerly called Taxify, the company said the current increase will only affect trips of N3,000 and above.

Analysis reveals that for trips of N3,000, the sum of N90 extra charge will be paid by the user.

For rides of N4,000, the user will pay additional N120, while for trip of N5000, the user is expected to pay additional N150.

Bolt said, “At Bolt, we’re committed to making sure Bolt is the most affordable way to move around Nigeria.

“However, we also recognize changes in operating costs which can occur as we work to keep you moving around reliably, safely, and affordably.

“From December 8th, 2021, we are introducing a three per cent booking fee on all trips. This will be used to cover operational costs and allow us to continue improving features to make Bolt the best way to move around.”

December 8, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Katsina State Plans Big On Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises MSME

by Folarin Kehinde December 8, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

Katsina State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (KTS-MSMEs) Council has just concluded retreat on how to optimize the huge MSME potentials in the state.

The retreat was a
two-day event which centred on discussions on varied issues around the MSMEs development,
existing programmes and how they affect MSMEs sub-sector development in Katsina State.

The retreat was held between November 22 and 23, 2021 with very fruitful outcomes as contained in a communique issued at the end the its deliberations and brainstorming sessions.

It also provided the platform to familiarize with, and subject to open review, the new National Policy on MSMEs and strategizes on ways to provide effective and efficient service delivery to grow the MSMEs sub-sector in Katsina State.

The state Deputy Governor, Qs Mannir Yakubu, who spoke on behalf of the state government,
while declaring open the two-day workshop had explained that the workshop will focus on areas
like dialogue with development partners, sourcing donor resources, planning and financial
management, improving the knowledge of MSME council, as well as leveraging on the
opportunity provide by the African Continental Free Trade Zone for MSME development.

The Deputy Governor Mannir Yakubu, who is also the Chairman of the Council, noted that the
State government has achieved so much in the area of MSME development through collaboration with Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), private sector, other stakeholders.

He highlighted some of the achievement, which include, collaboration with Raw Materials
Research and Development Council (RMRDC) to organise training on tiger nut value chain for
women in Katsina State, and Workshop on investment opportunities in some strategic crops, safe use of pesticides, and agro-chemicals to farmers.

Other achievement by the government include securing and the distribution of varieties of cashew and cotton seedlings and seeds to farmers in the state, support to the state steering Committee on Survival Fund and Support to the Federal Government efforts on ease of doing business.

Other achievements include collaboration with Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) on certification of some establishments by the state Government and SMEs in the construction industry.

This in addition to securing allocation of land and Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) for the permanent office complex for SON and that of Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment/NEPZA for the establishment of Funtua Integrated Textiles and Garment Parks, among other giant strides.

Earlier, the Katsina State Government had vowed to put more effort in the improvement Micro,
Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) across the state for efficient business management.
Issues And Considerations
After several brainstorming sessions, presentations and exhaustive deliberations on the ways to make the MSMEs Council more efficient and responsive to prevailing exigencies of the MSMEs sub-sector in the state, the retreat considered strategies that can hasten the growth and development of the MSMEs sector in the state.

It also considered presentation on the reviewed National Policy on MSMEs, which set the tone for
the proceedings, leading to the formation of four syndicate groups, who eventually deliberated
and made robust contributions on the ways to grow the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (NMSMEs) sub sector in Katsina State.

The retreat further discussed extensively the newly reviewed National Policy on MSME and
implementable milestones in the state. Evaluation on the need for continuous training and
capacity building programmes to re-position the BMOs for effective service delivery to their
members was also explored.

Other issues deliberated include myriads of challenges faced in the MSMEs development
programmes in the state, and ways to make future implementations more impactful, by deepening
participation and improving on the various programmes content.

Resolutions/Actions
In the context of the foregoing deliberations on the scenarios above, the retreat arrived at certain
resolutions which are being put forward.

According to the communique, all Agencies in the state responsible for training and capacity
building should work in concert with BMOs to provide sector specific training for Entrepreneurs in the state.

Furthermore, it was resolved that training and capacity building for BMOs and other form of skills upgrade for members should be given priority attention going forward. The Training Needs Analysis is to be submitted by the BMOs to the MSME Council for consideration as a resolution.

In addition the retreat put forward the need to deepen stakeholder engagement through town hall
meetings and mass media on available financial windows and regulatory matters for MSMEs in
the state.

Also resolved was need for Katsina MSMEs Council to emulate the National in terms of composition of the Technical Implementation Committee by adopting a co-chair from the private sector.

Research for Development is to be emphasized upon in the state by leveraging on the educational
institutions in the state while the Katsina MSMEs Council should Commission Needs assessment
of Skills gap in the state and follow up with training provision of Business Development Services
(BDS) to increase the capacities of NMSMEs operators as well as harmonise all the Skills Training
Centres in the State.

Also included in its resolutions was the need for MSME Council to leverage on commercial and
undertaking officers at the LGAs and Business Information Centres for provision of awareness and
support for Nano MSMEs to fill the financial literacy gaps while various BMOs should appraise
their financial state and the attendant gaps, and make report available to the council for possible considerations.

The MSME Council was
advise to consider the establishment of border Market and export warehouse to facilitate
exportation of Made in Katsina/ Nigeria product and that the completion of laudable projects
embarked upon by the State Government that has direct bearing on MSMEs (including Common
Facility Centre for MSMEs, formation of an SPV, Integrated Textile and Garment, Establishment of Power Sub stations and Water Supply, Special Agro Processing Zones (SAPZ) and others).

Finally, it was recommended that the harmonization of data on finance and beneficiaries of
funding interventions in the state should be embarked upon as soon as possible.

The communique was signed by Qs. Mannir Yakubu, FNIQS, the Chairman KTS- MSMEs Council
who also doubles as the State Deputy Governor and the Onesi Lawani of SMEDAN as the Lead
Facilitator.

December 8, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Utako Demolition: Police, We have to Build, Indigenes fumes, says Land belongs to Ancestors

by Folarin Kehinde December 8, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

Barely few weeks after the relax of the COVID-19 pandemic locked down last year, the development control of the Federal Capital Territory Stormed the Utako Village and demolished over 200 houses.

The department came few months after and erected a sign post of the Nigerian Police Force as the owner of the land.

Normalcy and business life retuned early this year woth the indigenes believing that all was well.

Event however took another twist on December 7th when trailers loaded with granites and sand were seen in large quantities offloading for construction to begin.

Drama ensued the following when a bulldozer with a combined force of the Nigerian Police and other security agents stormed the village to begin demolition.

The Indigenes however came out in large numbers dressed in their native attires to stop the demolition exercise with placards and inscription saying ” this is our ancestral land” “Utako on Fire As Police Take Over Utako Village” and a host of others.

LEADING REPORTERS however gathered that the Utako chiefs went to report the issue to the Senator C Representing FCT, Philip Aduda whose response where sketchy but the demolition stopped while people still waited apprehensive to know their fate.

December 8, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Racism: UK ignore EU countries of confirmed Omicron Variant, place 12 African Countries on Red Alert, Travel Ban

by Folarin Kehinde December 7, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

For what some would have assumed to be scientific on the recent ban of some African countries by the UK to curb the spread of new omicron variant, many are optimistic that it is clearly an act of racial discrimination.

It would be recall that on the eve of the new red list becoming effective, there were confirmed cases in countries such as Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botwana and Canada.

Others include Hong Kong, Nigeria, South Africa, Switzerland, Israel, Italy and UK.

The travel ban was extended to African countries such as Angola, Botwana, eSwatini, Lesotho, Malawi, and Mozambique.

Others include, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Reaction has however continued to trail this discriminatory act from people all over the walks of life.

The inclusion of Nigeria on the list has generated reaction from the government and her citizens.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who said this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, described the travel ban as discriminatory.

Also, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Alhaji Sharafa Ishola, described the travel ban as apartheid.

Britain had on Saturday banned Nigerian travellers after it said it discovered 21 cases of the Omicron variant in people who recently visited Nigeria.

Last week, Canada banned Nigerian travellers after the detection of the variant in persons who visited Nigeria.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, in an interview on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ programme on Sunday, faulted the ban, saying it would hurt livelihoods.

But the Head of Communications, British High Commission, Hurlock, said the UK was aware of the significant impact of the travel ban.

He also noted that the decision would affect people in both the UK and Nigeria, particularly at this time of the year, but stated that it was a precautionary measure meant to protect public health in England.

Hurlock, said, “We know that this decision will have a significant impact on people in both our countries, particularly at this time of year.”This decision is a precautionary measure to protect public health in the UK, while we try to understand this new variant.

“These are temporary measures that have been introduced to prevent further Omicron cases from entering the UK, and will be examined at a review point on December 20.”

The commission stated that it would continue to work with the local authorities in tackling the pandemic.

But earlier on Monday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed, condemned travel bans by the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Hong Kong and others.

The United Kingdom on Monday justified its travel ban on Nigeria, saying the measure was a temporary measure aimed at protecting its public health.

Mohammed argued that the decision of Britain was based on discrimination and prejudice and not science because so far, no one had died of the Omicron strain.

He said it was obvious that many in the West were upset that their predictions on COVID-19 infections had failed to materialise.

The minister noted that many from the UK had also tested positive in Nigeria but Britain was not banned.

He also explained why Nigeria still received South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, and his entourage despite the country recording a large number of Omicron cases.

He said even the United Nations had faulted the recent travel bans, adding that it was nonsensical and nothing but travel apartheid.

“If somebody who is a Nigerian but holds a British passport is allowed to enter Britain, he is as risky as I am. Is it the passport that now reduces his risk? That doesn’t make sense. If my cousin who holds a British passport stays in my house and is going back, you allow him to come in but you say I can’t?” Mohammed asked.

He faulted claims that Nigeria deserved to be banned because 21 persons with history of travel to Nigeria had tested positive in the UK.

The minister wondered why other European countries were banned by the UK including those with Omicron cases.

“I don’t think the issue is how many people have tested positive or how many people Britain claims have tested positive. My position is very clear. Is travel ban the answer? The answer is no. Number one, where is the origin of this Omicron variant? It is definitely not Africa or Nigeria,” Mohammed said.

The minister argued that the travel ban was counterproductive and wondered why British citizens coming from Nigeria were still allowed in.

“How do you slam this kind of discriminatory action on a country of 200 million people, just because of less than two dozen cases? Whereas British citizens and residents are allowed to come in from Nigeria, non-residents from the same country are banned.

“The two groups are coming from the same country, but being subjected to different conditions. Why won’t Britain allow people in both categories to come in, and be subjected to the same conditions of testing and quarantine? This is why this decision to ban travellers from Nigeria, who are neither citizens nor residents, is grossly discriminatory and punitive.”

He said the vaccine apartheid whereby developed countries denied developing nations vaccines was what propelled COVID-19 mutations.

Mohammed maintained that developed nations must understand that until everyone is safe, no one is safe.

Speaking in a similar vein, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora, said the presidential committee would take a decision soon.’

When asked if Nigeria would retaliate, Mamora said it was not about retaliation but more of what would be in the best interest of Nigerians.

In a related development, British Airways on Monday informed travel agents in Nigeria about the restriction of flights from Nigeria to the UK following the ban.

It disclosed this in a notice, titled, “Restrictions for travel from Nigeria to the UK,” which was sent to travel agents of the international carrier that operate in Nigeria.

This came as it was gathered in Abuja on Monday that most passengers of the airline stayed away from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, due to the restrictions by the carrier and the ban on Nigeria by the UK government.

The notice by British Airways to travel agents read in part, “As a result of the UK government placing Nigeria on to the red list, we continue to closely monitor the situation and adjust our schedule accordingly.

“All flights from Lagos to London Heathrow have been re-timed. This is due to restrictions at London Heathrow to support arrivals from a red-list country.

“All customers travelling from Nigeria must follow the UK government’s rules on arrivals from a red-list country and have a negative PCR test result within the 48 hours prior to their departure from Nigeria.”

It added, “Only British or Irish nationals or customers who have residence rights in the UK will be allowed to enter the UK, where they will be required to quarantine in a government facility.”

December 7, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Senate Lambast Ministers of Health, Permanent Secretary over absence at COVID-19 Summit

by Folarin Kehinde December 6, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The President of the Nigeria Senate, Ahmed Lawan, has lambasted the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, the Minster of State for Health, Sen. Adeleke Mamora, and the Permanent Secretary of the ministry over their absence at the COVID-19 summit.

The summit was put together by the Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 to fashion out workable solutions towards ending the pandemic and build back the economy better.

The two-day summit which started with technical sessions last weekend, commenced proper on Monday, December 6.

The summit was with the theme: Pushing through the Last Mile to End the Pandemic and Build Back Better.

The objectives of the summit, among others, include to review the country’s COVID-19 response from February 2020 to November 2021- to identify successes, gaps, and lessons learnt; identify resources and develop strategies that will actualize the country’s expressed international commitments towards ending COVID-19 by 31st December 2022; develop an accountability framework for COVID-19 response and health security in Nigeria; synthesize the blueprint for Nigeria’s pandemic recovery, reconstruction, health security, and sustainability; and articulate actionable recommendations to President Muhammadu Buhari on the governance structure, resources, and policies needed to end COVID-19 in Nigeria by December 31, 2022, and build back the health system and the economy to better respond to future health-security threats.

The Senate President who was visibly not happy with the conspicuous absence of the top officials of the Ministry of Health said: “Before I begin my remark, is the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health here? Well, I asked that question because the two ministers of health are not here, the minister of health, the minister of state and the permanent secretary are not here. I believe that is not good”.

“Because everything we do here, the Federal Ministry of Health is supposed to be here to garner all the resources that will come out of this.

“The PSC is simply an interventionist outfit. And as politicians and political leaders, we are supposed to be very serious and committed about the health of our people. Thank you very much”

Some experts in the health sector who were at the summit, while responding to questions from journalists on the reaction of the Senate President, commended the him for speaking the truth.

Expressing his feelings to journalists on the reaction of the Senate President, an expert who pleaded not be named said: “The Senate President had done what true leaders are supposed to do. The Ministers and indeed top officials of the federal ministry of health have the penchant of not attending events organised for the improvement of the health sector. Most times if they attend, they come late making people to wait for them for hours.

“The Minister of health has killed the health sector because since he came, nothing is working in the sector. In fact, the sector is at a stand-still. It is shameful that what they could not organise, the PSC has help them to organised but they still have the guts to stay away.

“Even though the minister was around during the technical sessions on Saturday and Sunday, it is not good enough for him not to create time and sit at the summit from the beginning to the end. This is like calling people to come and help you carry some load and when they come, you stay away. As the Senate President said, this is not good.”

Meanwhile, a renown health expert, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has called for the revamping of the culture of the Nigerians, insisting that: “No matter what plans we formulate to respond to pandemics and disaster, we will surely fail, if we do not seriously address the issue of culture and environment”

He noted that Global Health Security must be built on the foundation of National Health Security and the National Health Security must be laid on the foundation of individual or personal health security.

“COVID is not the enemy, Lassa fever is of minor league, Yellow fever is yellow livered, Monkeypox is child’s play, Cholera is a dehydrator, our underdevelopment and backwardness rest on four pillars.”

The real enemies of Nigeria, he said, include lack of patriotism, the main destroyer of our nation; self-interest, the burial ground of our national interest; corruption, the executor of our orderly development and shamelessness, the destruction of our national pride.

“Over the last 60 years, these diseases, all affecting our culture, have become the combined endemic demolisher of the foundation of our individual health security which has shaken the foundation of our national health security and in turn determined our irrelevance as a nation in contributing meaningfully to global health security,” he stressed.

December 6, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Open Defecation: FG, Stakeholders reject Bill to Establish Clean Nigeria Agency

by Folarin Kehinde December 6, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Federal Ministries of Finance, Environment and other critical stakeholders in the environment sector, on Monday, overwhelmingly rejected a Bill, which seeks to establish the Clean Nigeria Agency and prohibit open urination and defecation in the country.

The Bill titled: “A Bill for an Act to establish the Clean Nigeria Agency for the purpose, among others, to prohibit Open Urination/Open Defecation in order to keep Nigeria clean and disease free and other matters connected thereto, 2021” was sponsored by Senator Clifford Ordia (Edo Central).

The ministries and other critical stakeholders made their position known through their presentation during a one-day public hearing on the Bill organised by the Senate Committee on Water Resources.

They premised their opposition to the Bill on the need to prevent further proliferation of government agencies, paucity of funds and duplication of functions.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, declared the session opened.

In his opening remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Water Resources, Senator Bello Mandiya, noted that there is urgent need to eradicate open urination and defecation in the country because of their adverse effect on the environment and health of the people.

Mandiya said: “This Bill seeks to create an agency to prohibit open urination/defecation in the country. This is very clear because we know what this causes.

“Unfortunately for this purpose, Nigeria is among the highest if not the highest country practicing open defecation. So there is a need to do everything possible to eradicate it.”

While declaring the session opened, Lawan said continuity is necessary to ensure that all schemes and programmes aimed at ensuring a clean environment in the country are sustained.

Lawan said: “We are familiar with the issues on cleanliness and the environment we live in and how they can shape our wellbeing. The ills are becoming more prominent because of increased human activities and complexities therefrom.

“The implications of our surrounding is significant from the size of citizens and the environment. The public sector has also been very responsive through programmes and schemes.

“It is noteworthy that many of these programmes have been vetted and approved by the legislature.

“Regardless, continuity is necessary to ensure its meaningful impact on our bid to internalise cleanliness.”

Ordia said the bill seeks to make rules and issue guidelines and regulations for the construction and operations of public toilets.

He said the agency, when established, would certify public toilet facilities to be fit for use by members of the public.

He also said the agency would have powers to shut down any public place that does not meet the required standard of public toilet facility prescribed by the agency, among others.

However, kicking against the establishment of the agency, the Director of Legal Services, Ministry of Environment, Mrs Obayagbo Helen, said the ministry was opposed to the passage of the bill.

She said the Bill was trying to convert a fragment of the 15 components of sanitation into an agency.

Obayagbo said: “Creating an agency for a fragment of one component of sanitation would mean creating more than 15 agencies for sanitation issues alone.

“This would mean wastage of scarce government resources. Besides, there are too many federal government agencies in existence currently and most of them self-sustaining but depend on the already very thin resources of the Federal Government.”

The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, represented by its Assistant Director, Legal, Mrs. Ate Amali, said there exists agencies of government already performing roles being envisaged for the proposed agency.

She said the establishment of the agency would mean further duplication of agencies of government.

She advised that programmes should be development to further eradicate issues of open defecation in the country.

The National President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Mr. Jamilu Shuaibu, said the bill was inconsistent with the provisions of the fourth schedule of the 1999 constitution as amended.

He said the constitution vested the local government councils with the role of maintenance and regulations of public convenience.

He said the 774 Local Governments Areas have been implementing the role through their Environmental Health Services Department and units.

He said the agency, if established, would be an additional liability and additional cost of governance.

He, however, recommended that the relevant Federal Government Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for environmental sanitation be empowered to produce a national policy with corresponding guidelines in toilet and urinals in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He also recommended that existing agencies in the federal, states and local governments should be strengthened to perform their functions more effectively.

“The federal and state government should focus on the reintroduction of environmental sanitation and building of local capacity for enforcement of environmental sanitation.”

December 6, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

BREAKING: Blackout Hits Abuja As AEDC Workers Begin Indefinite Strike

by Folarin Kehinde December 6, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

Workers of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company have embarked on an indefinite strike over non-payment of entitlements for over 20 months.

The members of staff of the company commenced the industrial action across the Federal Capital Territory on Monday.

According to report, members of staff of AEDC are demanding the payment of their 2020 bonus and other entitlements.

They are also demanding the remittance of pensions deducted by the company to their Pension Fund Administrators. They alleged that the remittances have not been made for the past 19 months.

Visit to the AEDC Gwarimpa Office, revealed that the gates were sealed at 8:11am.

“Pay the remaining: batches of 2020 bonus. Pension remittances (19 months). Third batch of bulk rent. Thrift deductions (17 months) and union check off dues (4 months. AEDC management pay us now!” a notice posted on the gate reads.

A member of staff (name withheld) who prefer anonymity said the strike may take days depending on when their demands will be met.

At AEDC Lugbe Area Office, the members of staff are also on strike and are making the same demand from the AEDC management.

The Lugbe Area Office staff are also threatening to withdraw their service totally.

A notice placed on the AEDC Lugbe office gate stated, “Enough is Enough, pay us our outstanding pension remittance (20 months); thrift/corporative deductions (7 months); 2020 productivity bonus; payment of bulk rent and non payment of union check off bonus.”

December 6, 2021 0 comments

Headlines

Why DSS Arrested Gen Dambazau

by Folarin Kehinde December 6, 2021

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Department of State Service, DSS has arrested the state chairman of the Consumer Protection Council, CPC General Idiris Dambazau rtd over allegations of economic sabotage.

According to reports close to source of the operatives, the DSS accused Gen Dambazau rtd of unilateral closure of seven petroleum filling stations without following due process.

The source further revealed that all efforts to make General Dambazau open the filling stations fell on deaf ears, despite the fact that he was allegedly undertaking illegal assignments beyond the powers of the office he is occupying.

“The security view General Dambazau’s actions as deliberate act of economic sabotage with the intention to create scarcity of the commodity in Kano where there was none” the source said.

The DSS source, who prefers to remain anonymous, made it cleared that section 48 of Nigeria constitution states that any government ministry, department or agency exercising any power or function or taking any action which may have direct impact on midstream or downstream petroleum operative shall consult with the authority.

This according to the section, it is prior to issuing any regulations, guidelines, enforcement order or directives, which the source emphasized Gen. Dambazau disregards.

The DSS elucidated further that even after consulting the relevant authority, the authority shall review the recommendation of the government ministry, department or agency and communicate decisions accordingly before the decisions shall be complied with.

December 6, 2021 0 comments

Newer Posts

Older Posts